Kidwelly Castle, Kidwelly (South Wales)

Impressive remains of a castle established as a huge earthwork in the early twelfth century

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Gift shop Information provided Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

Introduction

 Impressive remains of a castle established as a huge earthwork in the early twelfth century. The stone castle was first raised by the de Chaworths, and was much modified later by the earls (eventually dukes) of Lancaster.

History to the present day

The first castle on the site was built around 1106 by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, to help the Normans maintain their hold over the area. He was a trusted friend and advisor of Henry I and became his chief minister. His castle was constructed of earth and timber, around which a Norman settlement soon developed.

After King Henry's death, Roger fell from favour with the new king, Stephen, and he lost his lands and castles. Kidwelly was given to Maurice de Londres, who had earlier helped put down a Welsh rebellion in the area.

In 1220, Hawise de Londres inherited Kidwelly. Her third husband was Patrick de Chaworth, with whom she had two sons, Payn and Patrick. Both in turn inherited the castle and undertook major building work, transforming it into the military stronghold we see today - a concentric castle with an outer stone curtain wall with open-backed towers along its length. These enclosed an inner curtain wall with massive circular towers in each corner, used as comfortable and secure accommodation.

By the time Henry, Earl of Lancaster, inherited Kidwelly, the inner ward had extensive apartments including a large hall and solar, a new kitchen and a fine chapel tower. The outer curtain wall and its towers had been increased in height, and walls built across the rear of the open-backed towers. Three of the inner ward towers were also heightened, to the level of the south-east tower.

Later, the castle passed by marriage to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and then to his son, Henry IV. Kidwelly would become the centre of administration for the Duchy of Lancaster’s vast estates, from where payments were collected, justice dispensed and where Duchy officials and their staff were accommodated.

In 1389, John of Gaunt set about building a more imposing gatehouse – one of the last great castle gatehouses to be built in England and Wales. Following the outbreak of Owain Glyn Dwr’s rebellion in 1400, work on the gatehouse speeded up and it was sufficiently complete to withstand a siege by his supporters in 1403, even though the town fell and was burnt. Once the rebellion was crushed, work resumed on the gatehouse, and it was eventually completed in 1422, but with revisions to its intended plan. These included a new kitchen, a separate stair turret leading to all floors, additional fireplaces, wider and more decorative windows and a grand staircase from the courtyard up to the first floor. All intended to provide impressive and comfortable accommodation for the constable and his household. For the remainder of the fifteenth century the castle was well maintained. There was even further building work in the outer ward, including a larger hall, a sturdy building that might have been a stable with accommodation above, and an extensive bakehouse with ovens.

Many repairs were carried out at the castle during the sixteenth century, but by the early seventeenth century the castle was decaying rapidly. It was sold to the Vaughan family in 1630. Their descendants repaired parts of the castle between 1793-1803, mainly for the benefit of the increasing number of wealthy tourists coming to south Wales, including artists such as Turner, who sketched the castle in 1795.

The castle passed to the earls of Cawdor, who carried out further repairs before eventually placing it in the care of the State in 1927.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Kidwelly Castle, South Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening Times:

01.11.09 - 31.03.10: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 16.00, Sunday 11.00 - 16.00

01.04.10 - 30.06.10: Monday - Sunday 9.30 - 17.00

01.07.10 - 31.08.10: Monday - Sunday 9.30 - 18.00

01.09.10 - 31.10.10: Monday - Sunday 9.30 - 17.00

01.11.10 - 28.02.11: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 16.00, Sunday 11.00 - 16.00

01.03.11 - 31.03.11: Monday - Sunday 9.30 - 17.00

 

Admission prices:

Adult - £3.00

Concession - £2.60

Family - £8.60

Entry is free for Welsh residents aged 60 and over or 16 and under who have a valid pass.

 

 

All photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.